authentication

Authentication of works by Saura is jointly carried out by the antonio saura foundation archives, the Saura Estate and Olivier Weber-Caflisch. They are also responsible for publishing the catalogues raisonnés devoted to Saura.

Certificates of authenticity are delivered by the foundation or by Mr Weber-Caflisch on the foundation’s behalf. 

As a general rule, no certificate of authenticity is delivered without a prior physical examination of the works in question.

In some rare instances, certificates of authenticity are drawn up without the work being physically present. This only occurs when the works are already duly recorded in the foundation’s archives.

Marina Saura is the sole holder of the moral right to the work. Consequently, when a work is not authentic, she will initiate appropriate legal action, begin procedures to have it impounded and request that it be destroyed. 

Steps to obtain a certificate of authenticity:

  1. Please send the following to the foundation: 
    - three 18 x 24 cm non-digital colour photographs of the front as well as the back of the work when the latter displays any handwritten marks, a title, signature, etc. The photo of the front of the work must also include a colour scale;
    - if possible, a 13 x 18 cm or 9 x 11 cm transparency of the work. The transparency must include a colour scale;
    - a CD with a high-definition digital view of the front as well as the back of the work (a minimum 300 dpi for a minimum 20 x 25 cm reproduction). The digital view must include a colour scale;
    - all information and documentation concerning the work’s provenance.
  2. If the work has not been duly catalogued in the foundation’s archives, please make an appointment in writing with the foundation to arrange for the work to be examined. For the examination, you should have a passport or valid ID as well as a photocopy of the document that has been submitted.
  3. Once we have received the photographic documentation described above, examined the work, and consulted the foundation archives, the foundation will notify in writing the person looking to authenticate a work whether it is indeed authentic or not.
  4. If the work is authentic, the foundation will send an invoice to the person requesting a certificate of authenticity. The cost of such a certificate is € 1,500.-. Payment should be made to:
    Crédit Suisse / Geneva
    CH - 1211 Geneva 70 
    Addressee: Fondation Archives Antonio Saura
    Account no. 861995-22, payable in EUR
    IBAN: CH67 0483 5086 1995 2200 0
    BIC / SWIFT: CRESCHZZ80A
  5. Upon receipt of the payment, the foundation will draw up the certificate of authenticity and send it by registered mail to the person requesting the certificate.

All photographic documentation and correspondence received in connection with drawing up a certificate of authenticity will not be returned and becomes the property of the foundation.

The foundation draws up a single copy of the certificate of authenticity. No duplicates will be made.

Address all correspondence and documentation by post only to:
archives antonio saura
Pallanterie 11 a
CH – 1252 Meinier Genève

For further information:
Contact the Antonio saura foundation archives
tel. + 41 22 310 30 70
@: info@antoniosaura.org

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